Message from Mr. O’ Connor
Dear Parents and Friends,
Happy New Year!
“80% of life is showing up” (Woody Allen) means that consistent presence, commitment, and taking actions are the biggest drivers of success, far outweighing talent or perfect conditions. This year, lets aim for 100% presence in school by our students. We know the more they are at school, the higher their academic attainment is… logical. Now looking ahead for the Year 11 and the Year 13 students who enter into their mock examination periods… use the school, ask the teachers, use your time wisely.
Next week I will report to you from the slopes of Andorra with the Secondary Annual Ski Trip. Our thanks go to the ten teachers accompanying us, and the support from the parents and students. These are memories that will never be forgotten!
Teaching & Learning continue in the Secondary School, managed by Mr. Murphy. No time is lost.
In Primary, the new term’s topics are underway, and we look forward to showing our Year 6 students a little about life in Secondary next week as well.
2026… no need for a ‘warm up time’… we are already at maximum speed.
My best wishes as always.
Mr. J. O’ Connor
Headmaster and Co-Founder of GVS
Primary Section
Message from Ms. J. Harvey
Dear Families,
Happy New Year, and welcome back to the new term. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday with your families and friends.
We have another great term ahead of us – each class will have an educational trip, then at the end of this month we will have the first of this term’s Curriculum weeks, as we get creative during Art Week. In February, we have Friendship Day, when we will celebrate working as a team with a House Day, the week before half term will be another curriculum week as we celebrate all things Spanish with our annual Spanish Week, culminating in Carnival Day on the Friday. During March, we will have the final Curriculum week of this term when we move outside for Outdoor Learning, finishing the term off with our Egg Decorating Competition. And of course besides all of this, we will be enjoying lots of learning as we learn about our new topics in English, Maths, Science and Humanities. (As you can see from the pictures below of Year 4 enjoying their new Science topic of Sound). Please keep an eye on the Diary Dates and Marvellous Me to ensure you don’t miss any vital information.
We are also pleased to announce Year 6 are having a pre moving-up session in Secondary on Wednesday next week, whilst most of the Secondary students are on their skiing trip. We know they will have a great time and look forward to hearing all about it afterwards.
In January, our Value of the Month is PEACE. When we choose Peace, it helps us to stay calm and serene, even in difficult and challenging situations. For this, it is important that when we face emotions like anger or frustration, we learn how to take a deep breath, help our minds become clearer and connect once again with our hearts. By pausing, by using our Head, Heart and only then Hands, we learn how to make better choices, and help ourselves and others feel safe and valued. Peace also grows when we remember that even though we may look different, think differently or like different things, we are all connected. Our differences make the world colourful and interesting, and Unity helps us live together kindly and respectfully. We invite everyone to practise this important value of Peace! “May the world live in Peace and not in pieces”.
Thank you as always for your support and I hope you have a wonderful long weekend.
Best wishes,
Ms. J. Harvey
Head of Primary GVS
Secondary Section
Message from Mr. S. Murphy
Dear Families,
Welcome back to Term 2! As always, when students return after a holiday, a few reminders are helpful to ensure a smooth start. In particular, students in Years 7–10 should continue to use their journals to record homework, deadlines, and reflections, helping them stay organised and focused for the term ahead. It has been wonderful to see students returning with energy and determination, ready to consolidate learning and set new goals following a successful Term 1.
Maths Problem – KS3 Problem of the Week
The Mathematics Department has launched KS3 Problem of the Week, a fun and challenging way for students to explore maths beyond the classroom. Each week, a new puzzle will be shared via email, Google Classroom, and around school. Students can solve individually, with friends, or as a family, and submit solutions to Ms. Jones. Correct and creative answers will be featured in the school bulletin.
Ski Prep and Best Wishes
Preparations for the upcoming school ski trip are well underway. Students participating should ensure all forms, equipment, and safety requirements are completed. We wish all students and staff a safe and enjoyable experience on the slopes and look forward to hearing about their adventures. Students not attending the ski trip are expected to be in school on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd, and the full student body should be back in school on Friday 23rd.
21st and 22nd for Year 11
For Year 11 students, please note that workshop sessions, mock revision, and coursework deadlines will be carefully accommodated on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd. Staff have organised support to ensure students can continue with regular classes while working towards their mock exams and coursework, giving everyone the opportunity to perform at their best and access any additional guidance they may need.
Year 6 Moving Up Day
We are excited to welcome our incoming Year 6 students for Moving Up Day. With the majority of Secondary students away on the ski trip, we are able to facilitate a dedicated session on Wednesday 21st afternoon, giving Year 6 students a meaningful taste of Secondary life. This is a valuable opportunity for them to become familiar with the environment, meet teachers and peers, and begin preparing for a smooth transition into the next stage of their education. We are also inviting the year 6 parents into GVS on the 26th January, Monday for an information session. Details will be emailed from the office.
Request for Book Donations
Our Swap-a-Book campaign continues. This initiative is being led by two Year 9 students. Families are warmly invited to donate books in good condition. Please leave donations in the school office with Mr. Murphy’s name attached. This project helps promote reading for pleasure and community sharing across all year groups.
KS3 Resits – Wednesday 14th January
Resits for any KS3 Term 1 failed subjects took place Wednesday 14th January. Students approached these assessments diligently, demonstrating resilience and commitment. We encourage families to recognise the effort and perseverance shown, regardless of the results.
Closing Thoughts
We are looking forward to a productive and engaging term ahead. Thank you to all students, staff, and families for your continued partnership and support.
Warm regards,
Mr. Stephen Murphy
Head of Secondary, GVS
IB Section
Message from Mr. David Méndez
Dear Families,
The school is currently undergoing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) Review Assessment.
The DP Review Assessment is a mandatory process carried out by the International Baccalaureate Organization every five years for all authorized schools.
Its objective is to verify that the school continues to meet IB standards and practices, ensure educational quality, and promote continuous improvement. During the review, the school conducts a self-assessment, presents evidence, and undergoes an on-site evaluation visit. Following this visit, the IB issues a report with conclusions and recommendations that guide the future development of the program at our school.
The review allows the school to analyse its pedagogical, organizational, and leadership practices in a structured way, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and establish action plans aligned with the International Baccalaureate international standards. This fosters continuous improvement, program coherence, and the professional development of teaching and administrative staff.
The evaluation confirms to families, universities, and the educational community that the school rigorously meets the IB quality criteria. Continued accreditation guarantees that the school offers an internationally recognized program with solid, transparent educational practices comparable to those of other IB schools worldwide.
To identify potential areas for improvement, Green Valley School is conducting various surveys to pinpoint areas for development that will allow us to continue progressing in the school’s ongoing improvement.
Last Monday, January 8th, the school office sent a survey to families with children enrolled in the Diploma Programme. If you have not yet completed it, we strongly encourage you to participate, as your input is essential to this analysis and improvement process.
I wish you all a wonderful week.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. David Méndez
IB Coordinator